Cool bags

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a portable, lightweight disposable bag intended for, but not limited to the temporary storage of temperature sensitive items or perishable foodstuffs. The bag comprises at least two contiguous pockets, one pocket containing a cooling substance such as an ice gel and one pocket containing a temperature sensitive or perishable item. Both pockets may be sealed by resealable closures. The pocket containing the cooling substance may be permanently sealed.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/757,755, filed Jan. 9, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to a cold storage device for heat-sensitive items. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable, lightweight bag intended for, but not limited to the temporary storage of perishable foodstuffs.

Many food items require low temperature storage to maintain their healthfulness and safety. Low temperature storage inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria in food. Common food pathogens grow over a temperature range of roughly 40° F. to 140° F. (4° C. to 60° C.); it is therefore important to maintain the temperature of a stored food above or below this range. This temperature range is customarily referred to as the “Danger Zone” for food storage.

In the case of prepared food, maintained at temperatures below 40° F., a subsequent increase in temperature into the “Danger Zone” permits bacteria to grow and reach pathogenic levels given sufficient time. These bacteria could have been present in the food originally, or, if properly cooked food, most likely the result of incidental contamination during handling.

School children are at significant risk for foodborne illnesses, partly because many frequently consume unrefrigerated luncheon food, prepared and packaged earlier in the day.

Food items for school lunches are usually prepared in early morning without refrigeration and then consumed around noontime, a period spanning roughly 3 to 6 hours. USDA guidelines for the handling of school lunches recommend that such foods be kept as cold as possible during this period, and further recommend that cooling packs such as a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice package be included in a school lunch box along with any perishable food. Such storage is known as passive cold storage, because cooling of the stored item relies on the heat absorbing capacity of a previously cooled source. A maximum storage period of two hours is recommended by federal agencies for any perishable food held without cooling. In this case alone, there exists a need for an effective cold storage device.

A plurality of references are found that disclose art related to passive cold storage or portable cooling devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,793 (Willard and Fong) discloses a beverage container which in one embodiment provides a container with a coolant containing flooring. U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,290, (Bryne) discloses an ice sleeve cooler for beer kegs or other beverages comprising a slip-over ice sleeve, open at the bottom and open at the top, and having inner and outer sleeve members with an ice pocket in between. A baby bottle caddy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,128 (Strickland). The caddy comprises a plurality of internal compartments, some of which may contain a cooling medium. U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,012 (Vinkel and Vandegal-Nielsen) discloses a freezing mold bag for ices that is formed from two plastic foils, with a segmented inlet channel, two closure valve flaps extending within the interior of the bag, and a constriction which provides a venturi effect closing the bag at the constriction.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,467 (Bryne) discloses a disposable liner for a rigid cooling chest and means of attachment of the liner to the chest. The liner contains a plurality of water impermeable walls that provide separation of contents, said liner also being provided with a closure to assist sanitary disposal after use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,046 (Stone, et al.) discloses a two chamber container for the separate storage and selective mixing of medical fluids. The container includes two outer flexible thermoplastic sheets and an inner diaphragm sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,476, issued to DeCoster, discloses a carrier pack including a shopping bag with a separate cooler bag that is connected by strap, or alternately, located interiorly to the shopping bag. U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,617, issued to Tsai, discloses a two-layer thermal lining for a wear, such as a jacket, that is soakable; a cooling agent contained in a pocket thereof absorbs water and provides cooling by evaporation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,553, (Henderson) discloses a band of textile material with a pocket for receiving a bag of cooling material. Said band has an adjustable means for holding the pocket and cooling material in contact with an anatomical part.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,479, issued to Defelice and Roberts, discloses a nested cooler system for perishable foodstuffs, particularly human breast milk and infant formula. Said cooler system contains inner and outer coolers that jointly or independently receive perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs. U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,475, also issued to Defelice and Roberts, discloses a nested cooler system for perishable foodstuffs, particularly human breast milk and infant formula. Said cooler system contains inner and outer coolers that jointly or independently receive perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles. U.S. Pat. No. 7,065,983, issued to Trinh and Trinh, is directed to ice bag covers, methods, and articles of manufacture useful in the creation of a adhesive, non-constrictive ice bag device that is compact and can be attached to a garment and held in close proximity to an injured body part of the user. The ice bag device preferably comprises a flexible outer cover for one or more cooling packs, having one face covered with mounting adhesive for temporarily attaching the cover.

As illustrated by these related references and other current solutions to the problem of cooling or storage of perishable food, such as school lunch boxes or packs, the devices are uniformly ill-suited, ineffective, bulky, heavy, and relatively expensive. In the case of school lunch boxes, commonly used, such reusable storage containers are difficult to clean, and their repeated use may result in bacterial growth and contamination of their food contents.

The present invention provides a convenient, inexpensive, lightweight solution to the problem of temporary, passive cold storage. Although reusable, the invention can be disposable, a feature that results in better cleanliness. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a lightweight, disposable bag with a built-in cooling pack. The bag is precooled in a freezer or refrigerator. The invention is primarily intended to prevent food spoilage during temporary storage, such as with school lunches. But is also suitable to other applications for items that require short term cooling and transient protection from ambient temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a convenient protective device for the temporary cold storage for heat sensitive items. Also, the present invention provides a sanitary, disposable container for perishable foodstuffs that require cold storage. The present invention is an inexpensive, convenient, cold storage container for school lunches and any other appropriate situation that needs items maintained at a particular temperature or temperature range. In the case of food storage, the device should be constructed of food-grade materials that are suitable for safe food contact.

The invention and various embodiments of the invention will be referred to collectively as “Cool Bags”. In one embodiment, the Cool Bag instant invention composes a first pocket or main pocket to which a second or cooling or cool pocket is fixed. The second pocket contains a cooling substance that cools the contents of first pocket. Examples of such cooling substances are ice tubes, ice, ice packs, ice gel, frozen gel, dry ice, fruit juice, water, and blue ice packs or any other appropriate heat or cooling source material.

In one embodiment, the Cool Bag instant invention composes additionally glitter and/or confetti (collectively “confetti”) suspended in the cooling substance, said confetti providing visual amusement and interest. Said confetti may be shaped as licensed and trademarked logos for brand images appealing to children, for collegiate names, for sports franchises, for vehicle makes, and for any other image, wording, or mark symbol for the purpose of advertising, promotion, or aesthetic enhancement.

In a one embodiment, carrying handles may be affixed to the first or second pockets, or both pockets simultaneously. In one embodiment of the invention, the second pocket is sealed with the cooling substance locked therein, thereby allowing the pre-cooling of the whole device. Temperature sensitive or perishable materials are then later placed in the first pocket.

In one embodiment, the second pocket is sealed with a resealable closure, so that pre-cooled packets of a cooling substance may be removably reused when desired. This allows the pre-cooling of only the cooling substance and not the entire Cool Bag. Either or both pockets may be imprinted or embossed externally or internally with advertising materials, printing, logos, trademarks, or images.

In one embodiment, the first pocket and second pocket are each sealed by resealable closures. As conceived, the Cool Bag is a lightweight, convenient, temporary storage container for preserving perishable or temperature sensitive items for a limited time particularly suitable for storing foodstuffs.

The terms “lightweight and “inexpensive” are used in this application as follows. By definition, the term “lightweight” means less heavy than other comparable inventions or devices. The term “inexpensive” means less expensive than other comparable inventions or devices. The terms “cooled” and “pre-cooled” are interpreted to generically mean cooled below room temperature, a situation which also includes freezing. The term “confetti” means any suspended material that may comprise glitter, objects shaped as advertising pieces, or any other material or symbol for display, visual enhancement, or amusement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a drawing of a perspective view of a cool bag, with a removable cooling substance bag, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a drawing of a cool bag with a handle, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3A illustrates a drawing of a side view of a cool bag, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a drawing of a perspective view of a cool bag with lettering, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms comprising”, “having”, composing” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1 illustrating a drawing of one embodiment of a Cool Bag 2 with first or main pocket 1, and contiguous second or cooling pocket 3, additionally showing cooling substance 5 contained in a closed, separable packet 7. Separable packet 7, containing cooling substance 5, can be pre-cooled and then inserted into second pocket 3. Main pocket 1 and cooling pocket 3 may be substantial the same size and may both have the same size perimeter. Cooling pocket 3 may be smaller then main pocket 1.

FIG. 2, illustrates one embodiment of a Cool Bag 2, showing a first pocket 1 containing perishable food or other items 9. Sealed second pocket 3, containing cooling substance 5, is disposed about first pocket 1, while maintaining contact with first pocket. Confetti 11, for the purpose of aesthetic enhancement or advertising, is suspended in cooling substance 5. Entry of first pocket 1 is obtained via resealable closure 13. Resealable closure 13 may be a zipper, plastic seal, velcro strip, zip lock, or adhesive strip or any appropriate closure mechanism or adhesive. Integral carrying handle 15, with hand hole 17, is formed from the top of second pocket 3. Main pocket 1 and cooling pocket 3 may be both be resealable. Main pocket 1 may be resealable and cooling pocket 3 may be permanently sealed with a cooling substance 5.

FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of a Cool Bag 2 illustrating first pocket 1, second pocket 3, cooling substance 5, and resealable closure 13 for sealing heat sensitive items in first pocket 1. Resealable closure 13 allows access to first pocket 1. FIG. 3B further illustrates FIG. 3A, showing a Cool Bag 2 in perspective, cross sectional view. Further shown in this view is imprinting 19. Cool bag 2 may be made out of plastic, foil, aluminized plastic foil, mylar, paper, or metal in any combination. Main pocket 1 may be a sandwich bag or may be any of the following sizes snack, pint, sandwich, liter, quart, gallon, or 2.5 gallon. Cooling substance 5 may be an ice tube, ice, ice pack, ice gel, frozen gel, dry ice, fruit juice, water, or blue ice pack

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments depicted. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive. 

1. A cooling and storage device comprising: at least one first pocket; and at least one second pocket disposed in contact about the at least one first pocket, the at least one second pocket holding a cooling substance that cools the contents of the at least one first pocket.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one first pocket is sealed by a resealable closure system.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one second pocket is sealed by a permanent closure system.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one second pocket is sealed by a resealable closure system.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one first pocket and the at least one second pocket are each sealed by a resealable closure system.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein the resealable closure system is a selected one of a zipper, plastic seal, velcro strip, zip lock, and adhesive strip.
 7. The device of claim 4 wherein the resealable closure system is a selected one of a of zipper, plastic seal, velcro strip, zip lock, and adhesive strip.
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein each resealable closure system is a selected one of a of zipper, plastic seal, velcro strip, zip lock, and adhesive strip in any combination.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one first pocket and the at least one second pocket are constructed from materials that are a selected one of plastic, foil, aluminized plastic foil, mylar, paper, and metal in any combination.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the materials are a selected one of colored, transparent and translucent.
 11. The device of claim 9 wherein the construction materials are food-grade quality.
 12. The device of claim 9 wherein the materials are imprinted.
 13. The device of claim 11 wherein the construction materials are food grade polyethylene.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one first pocket is a sandwich bag.
 15. The device of claim 15 wherein the sandwich bag is a selected one size of snack, pint, sandwich, liter, quart, gallon, and 2.5 gallon.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein the cooling substance is a selected one of an ice tube, ice, ice pack, ice gel, frozen gel, dry ice, fruit juice, water, and blue ice pack.
 17. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one handle is affixed to the device.
 18. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is a selected one of disposable and reusable.
 19. A method of keeping food cool comprising: cooling a cooling substance bag; placing the cooling substance bag inside a cooling pocket on a cool bag; and inserting perishable food into a main pocket the main pocket on the cool bag.
 20. A method of keeping food cold comprising: cooling a cool bag the cool bag having a cooling substance; and inserting perishable food into a main pocket of the cool bag. 